Simon Southerton

Dr Simon G. Southerton is an Australian plant geneticist and co-founder of Gondwana Genomics,[1] an Australian technology firm specialising in Marker-assisted selection for tree breeding. Southerton published the book Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA, and the Mormon Church.[2] The book uses genetic evidence to examine the historical accuracy of the Book of Mormon and related claims about the Lamanite people.

Southerton was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), having converted to the church at age 10;[3] as an adult, he was a Mormon missionary in Melbourne and a bishop in Australia.[4] Because of his inability to reconcile church teachings with science, Southerton resigned as a bishop in 1998 and left the church.[3] However, after Southerton's book was published, the church formally charged him with adultery.[3][5]

In an email sent to the Associated Press following his excommunication from the LDS Church, Southerton stated he was excommunicated for being too vocal regarding the results of the Genomics Project DNA.[6] However, those who attended Southerton's church disciplinary council contended that the excommunication had nothing to do with the book.[6] In an interview with Mormon podcast host John Dehlin, Southerton explained that he was prevented from talking about his position regarding the DNA evidence in connection with the Book of Mormon and clarified that the excommunication was not for adultery, but rather for "inappropriate relations with a woman" during a period of time he was separated from his wife. He also confirmed that the disciplinary action was taken after he had already been an inactive in the church for seven years and maintains that the disciplinary actions were a direct result of the publishing of his book but done in such a way to prevent further spread of his position regarding genetics and the Book of Mormon.[7]

In 2014, Southerton co-founded Gondwana Genomics with DNA marker technology licensed from the CSIRO. In early 2018, Gondwana Genomics became the first to deploy marker-assisted selection on a commercial scale in tree breeding,[8] screening over 11,000 trees and seedlings for Eucalyptus breeding programs.[9][10]

See also

Notes
  1. "Home - Gondwana Genomics". Gondwana Genomics. Archived from the original on 2018-03-13. Retrieved 2018-03-12.
  2. Southerton, Simon G. (2004). Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA, and the Mormon Church. Signature Books. ISBN 1-56085-181-3.
  3. Jennifer Dobner, "LDS author facing excommunication" Archived 2017-10-06 at the Wayback Machine, Deseret News, 2005-07-17.
  4. "Ex-Mormon Scholars Testify: Simon Southerton". Archived from the original on 2012-04-07.Ex-Mormon Scholars Testify: Simon Southerton Archived 2019-12-03 at the Wayback Machine.
  5. Dobner, Jennifer (August 5, 2005). "Church excommunicates 'DNA' author". Deseret News. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  6. "Southerton's account of disciplinary hearing". Archived from the original on 2006-11-29. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
  7. "348-349: Simon Southerton, DNA, Lamanites and the Book of Mormon". May 21, 2012. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved Jun 5, 2020.
  8. FWPA. "News & Events | Media Releases | World-first Australian research breakthrough to deliver strong ROI". www.fwpa.com.au. Archived from the original on 2018-03-13. Retrieved 2018-03-12.
  9. "Issue 499". Issuu. Retrieved 2018-03-12.
  10. "Forestry news, forestry jobs - Friday Offcuts". www.fridayoffcuts.com. Archived from the original on 2018-03-12. Retrieved 2018-03-12.
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